Luis de Dasmarinas writes to Felipe iii (June 8, 1602), urging that the Spaniards reconquer the fortress of Maluco, to protect the Philippines from attack by “those demons of English and Dutch heretics.”  Doctor de Morga again informs the king (June 30) of his services in the conflict with Van Noordt, and in still another letter (July 8) of the attacks which his enemies are making upon him in regard to that affair.  The Augustinian officials at Manila notify the king (July 4) of the election of Pedro Arce as provincial of their order in the islands; and explain their refusal to receive a visitor recently sent to the islands from Nueva Espana.  A letter from the fiscal details (July 10) the measures taken to compel payment by Governor Tello of the debts owed by him in Sevilla; he has property in Nueva Espana, but none in the islands.

The Editors

December, 1903.

Documents of 1599

Ordinances enacted by the Audiencia of Manila (concluded.) Francisco Tello, and others; January-July, 1599.  The hospital for Indians at Manila.  Domingo de Santiago and Antonio Valerio; July 3.  Letters from the royal fiscal to the king.  Hieronimo de Salazar y Salcedo; July 21.  Letter from the king of Borneo to Governor Tello.  Soltan Adil Sula; [June?] translated July 27.  Letters to the king.  Francisco Tello; July 14 and August 7.  Letters to Tello.  Felipe iii; August 16.

Sources:  All these documents save one are obtained from MSS. in the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla; the second of the king’s letters (August 16) is from the “Cedulario Indico” in the Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid.

Translations:  The first of these documents is translated by Arthur B. Myrick, of Harvard University; the second, by Emma Helen Blair; the third, and part of the sixth, by Robert W. Haight; the fourth, by James A. Robertson; the fifth, by Norman F. Hall, of Harvard University, and Jose M. and Clara M. Asensio; the first letter in the sixth, by Alfonso de Salvio, of Harvard University.

Ordinances Enacted by the Audiencia of Manila (concluded)

An act ordering the alcaldes-mayor and their officials to observe the royal tariff.

In the city of Manila, on the seventh of January, one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the royal Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas, in the collection of taxes by the alcaldes-mayor of the provinces of these islands, and by their notaries and officials, there is great excess and disorder, from failing to observe his Majesty’s royal tariffs, whence arise many difficulties and obstacles to the service of God our Lord, and of his Majesty:  therefore, to remedy these evils, they ordered, and they did so order, that all the alcaldes-mayor, both now and